Product Description

In war-torn Iraq, Stratton's closest friend is killed whilst on operation, leaving behind a grieving wife and child - Stratton's godson. When the widow moves to Los Angeles she is brutally murdered and her child placed in state custody. Stratton, rocked to his foundations by the killing, uncovers a FBI plot to hide the crime and sets off on a private operation of revenge that eventually pits him against one of the most powerful East European crime syndicates in America. Hunted by the CIA and FBI as well as a brutal army of Albanian mobsters and armed only with his wits and an extraordinary skill with explosives, Stratton relentlessly pursues his private war; a fight he suspects could be his last. Yet another enjoyable Falconer weave of thrill and action wrapped in the rich authenticity that defined his previous novels, taking the reader on a roller-coaster ride across half the globe to a nail-biting climax.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #73318 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-05
• Released on: 2006-09-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 544 pages

Review
'A ripping yarn' FINANCIAL TIMES 'A pacy, engaging book that makes great use of Falconer's experiences to glimpse a world we seldom see' SUNDAY EXPRESS For THE HOSTAGE: 'Duncan Falconer's cracking debut novel ... Inevitably, he'll be compared to Andy McNab, but I'd say Falconer has the edge ... ' MAIL ON SUNDAY

SUNDAY EXPRESS
'A pacy, engaging book that makes great use of Falconer's experiences to glimpse a world we seldom see'

About the Author
A former member of the elite Special Boat Service and 14 Int., N. Ireland's top-secret SAS detachment, Duncan Falconer left after more than a decade of operational service and went on to the private security 'circuit'. His SBS exploits were documented in

Customer Reviews

Fantastic
A departure from the author's previous books with a far more personal story for the main character. This was a delight to read. The rear cover says he will inevitably be compared with McNab. This is true but McNab and for that matter Ryan have never been this good. I couldn't put it down. I wish Falconer would publish more often but if we have to wait a little longer for this quality it is well worth the wait.

New Author to me
I work solid all summer and then November comes and I get some time off... it's been a while since I read any fiction books but I had the urge to try a new author in the hope that I might get into reading again. So I read the back cover of this book and decided to give it a go. Without doubt one of the best books I have ever read. The pace is such that the story seemed to be (all but a few minor points) over before I was even half way through, I set myself up for an ending that was going to be a drag. WHAT A SURPRISE it just gets pacier. So much imagination you just live the moment, if you want romance then this isnt for you, although it looks like it might get close at one point. If you want action then you would be hard pushed to beat this. I have now purchased all of Duncun Falconer's work, including First Into Action, a biographical
account of his rise through the armed forces, and have been totally hooked.
If I were a film director then there would be a series of films here. The Stratton Character has so much scope it would be like updating James Bond!
Don't let that put you off... it's nothing like James Bond.
Now waiting in anticipation of the release of his new book, sure to be number 1 on my shopping list.
I can't recomend this enough.

Very good !!!
Completely different from the other 2 novels. Duncan Falconer has worked more on the complex development of the main character John Stratton, and made the man a more human being.
Unfortunately the Bomb Surgeon got changed into another title "The Operative", wich I think was not a good idea by his publicists. He should have stuck with the original title.
The book is a real page turner. Has a hint of romance in it aswell, but our hero has to make a choice, and this is a thriller not a romantic novel.
The descriptions on "how to make a surgical bomb" I found a bit difficult to understand, but mainly cause I don't have a clue on how they work in the first place apart from the utility of C4.
In this book we see Stratton torn between grief and vengeance for his friend Jack killed in Iraq and his wife killed by Albanian mobsters. We get an FBI agent who struggles with his pride and playing a double game. Cano and Skendler, the main Albanian characters are described as some of these men really are, emotionless ruthless and cruel. It keeps you on the edge till the end even though you have a clue on how it's going to finish.
I give the book 5 stars, cause for me this one is Falconer's best so far.